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*Tucker's POV*

Aiden's words haunted me throughout the rest of the day. I can't believe he thought I was only holding him because I was drunk. I mean sure, I wasn't the nicest person to him, but its because of him my family is dead.

Seeing him standing there so close to that...filth, disgusted me. Aiden shouldn't be anywhere near him, but I knew the second I told him to stay away, he'd only move closer. Even now, standing outside of his classroom, breathing in his scent, I could still taste the air Chris had left around him.

Out of everyone in the world, I hated him most. I wanted to rip him apart for what his family did to mine. It was because of his parents, that both me, and Aiden, lost everything. His mother and father, along with some of their friends, were the ones who had set the trap that killed everyone, and gave me my scars.

I couldn't act on my feelings though. The unwritten law about killing for the past prevented me from doing so. Because he wasn't born when it happened, he was off limits. At least, until he did something to fuck that up. I know he's been trained as a hunter, and I know he's aware of me being a vampire, but he never acted on it. Instead he's always kept his distance, until today.

He approached me in the hallway shortly after Aiden had left, warning me to stay away from him. His bold threats were easily contradicted by the fear in his eyes, and I simply laughed him off, then walked away. I tried to stay near Aiden throughout most of the day, in an effort to prepare myself for another visit to his house.

It was hard to breathe in there last time. I quickly got dizzy with his scent over flowing inside me, and I know he noticed. I wanted to make him remember. I wanted him to recall what had happened eleven years ago, but I didn't know how. Doing research left me with the same conclusion I had come to in the first place. I needed to do something to trigger a memory response. But what? Its not like I could take him back to where it happened. He couldn't stand me.

Something about that thought didn't sit well with me. I needed him to care, to know that I cared, but being kind to him was just so damn hard. Not to mention, if I suddenly did start acting like his friend, he'd think something was up, and I didn't want that. But what choice did I have? I can't stay away from him, and if I wanted him to remember, I'd need to do something to trigger his mind. Figuring there was no other solution, I made myself agree to being nicer to him, in an effort to make him remember.

"How long do you plan on standing there?" Paul asked, walking towards me.

For the first time ever, I didn't hear him walking up to me, and I cursed myself for losing control of my mind. I couldn't help it though, I always got like this when Aiden was near. Even eleven years ago, whenever he was around, I couldn't keep the comfort and safety I felt with him from my mind.

"You're hungry."

It wasn't a question, nor was it a lie. I could tell he was too. It was practically bleeding from his eyes. Following my silent command, we headed out to his car, then down to the mall to get someone to eat.

"Bro, you've got to talk to me."

I wanted to reply, to tell him everything was okay, but I wasn't sure anymore. Now that Aiden had gotten involved with Chris, even for that short moment, I didn't feel right.

"Look, I know I haven't been a vampire long, and I know I don't know much about how they feel, but I was human not long ago. I know something is bothering you about Ai-"

"Shut up, Paul."

His words stopped taking shape immediately. I hated commanding him and Clair, but this just wasn't their place. Being the one who created them, they had to listen to my every word, without hesitation. Telling Paul he could talk again, but not about Aiden, he asked if he could try a whole person today. I didn't think it was a good idea, but I agreed to it anyway. The only way to find out is to let him try, and even if he did lose control, I could still hold him down until he calmed himself again.

"You can try after I eat. That way, there isn't the slightest chance of you being able to over power me."

After finally picking my target, I followed her out the mall and to her car, before I took her life quickly and painlessly. Her memories flooded into me and the second I tasted her, regret over took me. She had only been alive for twenty six years. Her whole life was ahead of her, and images of her loved ones flashed over and over inside my eyes. She was going to be married, and I had taken everything away from her, and from her lover, just like Chris's family had done to me.

Fighting off everything that dared to overtake me, I finished my meal then leaned against her car trying to catch my breath. Paul had walked over to me and started his usual routine of licking the blood off my face, but I shoved him away this time. I didn't want to be touched, yet the only one who could comfort me, was no where near willing to do so. Holding him last night was still playing in my head. He was the only one I wanted to touch me.

After telling Paul to go find his food, I waited till he gave me a signal, then followed him to make sure everything went well. I couldn't focus on him. My mind was racing a million miles an hour while I tried to figure out why Chris wanted me to stay away from Aiden.

No matter how close he was to another person, if I talked to them, he'd cut them off. But what was different now? He had never approached me before, so why change his pattern? Turning my eyes back to where Paul was, I looked around everywhere, trying to spot him. I cursed myself over and over for not keeping my eyes on him.

Hearing him growl a ways away, I ran over to where he was standing, with some scared girl in the corner. Three different bodies lined the floor around him, no doubt the child's parents.

He had lost it. His whole body was coated in blood from those that had become his victim, and he stood towering over a child. She was no older than six, and she sat there, cowering, crying, and leaning against the wall for protection. Rushing forward and punching Paul in the back of the head, he stopped growling and fell over landing unconscious on the ground at her feet.

Her eyes widened in fear as I walked towards her and pulled her into my arms, no doubt terrified of the blood still on my face. I didn't want to do this, but she had seen us. Paul had exposed what we are to her, and it was my fault.

"Are you a hero?"

Her words danced around all over in my head, and I pleaded for them to go, to just stop.

"No sweetheart, I'm not a hero."

"But you saved me from that monster."

I could feel the blood I had just taken in start to release itself from my eyes.

"You're right hon, I did. But, I'm not done saving you yet."

"Is there another monster?"

I shook my head no, and held her tighter, moving my arms around her neck.

"What else can you save me from then?"

My body was trembling. She could tell I was shaking, but I wouldn't let her turn to look at me.

"The world."

The sound of her neck snapping echoed throughout my head.

Despite my trembling, I couldn't move. I just held her close, wishing I didn't have to do that. Laying her down on the ground, I stood over her, then turned and punched the wall behind me. The bricks exploded at my contact, sending bits of dust and stone everywhere. I had never killed someone that young. That innocent.

I could hear Paul apologizing over and over, though I hadn't even heard him get back up, pleading for my forgiveness, but it wasn't his fault. It was mine. He had nothing to be sorry for. Racing past him, I ordered that he didn't follow me. I needed to be alone. Running out to where I knew no one would find me, I tried to fight off my anger, but quickly found myself punching the ground repeatedly, while screaming as loud as I could. I wanted to take it all back. To just make everything right, but I knew it couldn't happen. After sitting there for what seemed like forever, I pulled out my phone as it went off and read the text message that now took up the screen.

"Dinner will be ready soon, are you still coming over?"

I replied yes, and to give me an hour, then rushed home to get ready. As much as I despised taking showers, I took one anyway. The water mocked my skin with a warmth I knew I would never really have, but I needed this to distract myself from Paul. He looked so distraught over what he blamed himself for, and regardless of what I said, I knew I couldn't change his mind. He continued to take the blame.

Clair had asked him more than once what was going on, why he was so upset, but he couldn't answer her, no matter how hard he tried. I didn't have time to comfort him. As it was, I was already late, and should have been at Aiden's house by now. After telling them where I was going and letting Paul know we'd talk when I got back, I rushed out the door and ran full speed to where I promised to be a half hour ago.

His aunt wasn't drunk this time, but I felt like I was. His scent was overwhelming me to the point where I could hardly stand. The room was silent, and I could tell she was getting uncomfortable. Looking over at her, I started up some small talk and asked her when it was she moved here, and that I loved how the house looked. After a while, everyone had started to relax. She had pulled out a bottle of wine and offered both me and Aiden a drink, which we quickly accepted.

"I hope you don't think I'm a terrible person letting him drink. But I figured, since he works at the club with me he could sneak drinks whenever I wasn't looking."

"Its not a big deal at all." I offered, taking a big gulp of the drink she had poured me.

"Do your parents let you drink?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. They did let me drink." I replied, almost chuckling at my small joke.

"Well, your parents should be proud, you seem like a very mature young man."

Her words stung a little, causing me to freeze in place.

"My mother passed away eleven years ago, my father too. I'm staying with my cousin for now."

I could tell I caught her off guard. She took in a gasp of air, then quickly apologized for her words. After reassuring her it was okay, she poured all of us another glass, then took our plates to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry your parents passed, Tucker."

His words sent shocks of relief, and satisfaction throughout me. I needed to hear that. I needed to hear him apologize for what I'd been blaming him for. Then it hit me. It wasn't really his fault at all. I'd been taking it out on him unfairly this entire time.

"Thank you Aiden, that means more to me than you know."

He smiled at my words. I wanted a camera at this exact moment, to capture that look, and hold on to it forever.

"What's got you boys so happy?" His aunt asked, walking back into the room. She was holding a few small plates, and on top of them sat a small slice of chocolate cake. I knew I shouldn't eat it, I had already taken in way to much human food, but I didn't want to be disrespectful. After telling myself I'd just have to drink a bit more blood than normal tomorrow, I waited for everyone else to start eating, then joined them shortly afterwords.

By my third glass of wine, I could already feel the effects of it taking over me. Aiden looked just as buzzed, but his aunt was completely drunk. Since no one here could drive me home, she offered for me to stay the night, to which I quickly agreed.

"I'm gonna go get some sleep, don't stay up too late boys."

Smiling at us one last time, she left us at the table, then headed for her room. I wanted to talk to him, but I wasn't sure what to say. I had promised myself to be nice, so I decided to compliment his look. He was quite dressed up compared to last time I was here. Wearing close to what I was, his dark blue button down shirt looked almost black in the dimly lit room. He had pulled most of his hair back, but left some in the front to cover up his scar. I'm not sure why he was self conscious about it, he looked nice no matter what he wore.

"You look really good tonight." I offered, trying to make conversation. My words threw him off for a moment, then he thanked me, and returned the compliment. I knew I was smiling, but I wasn't sure if it was due to the alcohol, or his words.

"If I may ask, how did your parents pass?"

His question caught me off guard. Figuring my face gave me away, he quickly followed it with, "If you don't want to tell me, its okay."

His voice was heavy with sympathy. I turned my gaze from him as my mind played out the one and only thing, that haunted my nights.

"They died in a car accident."

"That's how mine went. At least, that's what my aunt tells me."

He was reluctant in his words, telling me that he didn't believe it, but I knew it was true. We engaged in a little more small talk before he said we needed to get some sleep. Walking up to the guest bedroom, I had to catch Aiden a number of times to keep him from falling. He was beyond drunk. After stopping him from hitting the ground for the fourth time, I quickly grew annoyed.

"Do you want me to carry you?" I asked, looking over at him.

"You probably couldn't. I'm fat."

I wanted to hit him. He was so far from fat it wasn't even funny. Challenging his words, I pulled him into my arms, then swept his legs off the floor, and began to carry him up the stairs to his room. After we finally made it to his door, I set him on the ground, but didn't move him from my arms. His head was resting on my shoulder, while he breathed slowly, taking everything in.

"I think your bed is in the room." I stated, tightening my grip on him.

There it was again. That feeling of comfort, of safety. Just holding him here I felt more relaxed than I could ever remember being. He moved his eyes to mine as I finished my sentence. They were heavily glazed over, due to the alcohol, and lack of sleep.

I couldn't stop staring at him. It wasn't until he took in a sharp inhale, that I realized how close our faces were. Like the night before, our lips were almost touching and I could no longer fight my urge to taste him. Our kiss lasted a split second longer than last time, but he shoved me away once again and hurried into his room, just like last time.

I just stood there. Dumbfounded, and beyond dazed, I took in the scent he had left on my lips once more. It may have only been for a second, but it felt more like an eternity to me. My body was trembling by the time I had made it to the guest room, and as I lied there, I let images of me and Aiden dance throughout my mind.

I wasn't sure how long I'd been in the room, but I glanced at the clock on my cellphone, then decided to head back home to talk with Paul. Reaching for the door handle, I stopped short and hurried upstairs as Aiden's scream entered my ears. Rushing into his room and onto his bed, I pulled him into my arms, asking if he was okay. His body shook violently against mine as he tried to gain control of his breathing. Covered in sweat, and almost hyperventilating, I spotted his inhaler and handed it to him, telling him to relax.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. Just a bad dream."

His voice was still shaking with every word he spoke.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up."

"You didn't. I couldn't sleep."

It was pretty hard to breathe in here. His scent danced all around the small room, but stayed mostly where we were.

"How come?"

"I have a pillow at my house that I hold. It helps me relax, and gets me to sleep."

"You have to cuddle with something?"

I hated the way he said it, like he was shocked I had feelings or something.

"I'm the same way. You're actually sitting on my lion."

Letting go of him and moving over, I picked up what he was talking about, then gasped in shock. I remembered this. It was the same stuffed animal I had given him two days before the crash. I knew it was his favorite animal, that's why I begged my mom to buy it, but she kept refusing. I had to finally break down and offer to clean the house for a month before she would do it.

"You...you kept this?" My voice was heavy with astonishment, but I'm not sure if he picked up on it. Looking over at me confused as to my question, I quickly blamed the alcohol for a misuse of words and asked instead where he got it.

"I'm not really sure. I've just always had it. No matter what, I've never been able to get rid of it."

I couldn't fight my smile. He actually kept it. He needed it to sleep. Millions of thoughts had started flowing throughout my head, but I shoved them away as I felt Aiden's body move closer to mine.

"Would you mind staying with me until I fall asleep?"

He sounded reluctant to ask, but when I agreed, he smiled and thanked me over and over.

His body laid next to mine as I leaned against the back board of his bed, waiting for him to fall asleep. About five minutes had passed before I heard his breathing soften, telling me he had let sleep win out. I waited another ten before I planned on leaving, just so I could be this close to him for a little bit longer. As I started to get up, his arm stretched across my waist, and he moved his head onto my chest, making me freeze in place at his touch.

His skin felt warm against mine, like the shower I had taken previously, and I let his scent wash over me once again. I wanted to talk to Paul, to comfort him, but I also didn't want to move. I just felt...right being with him, but gods be damned I had to help Paul. No doubt what happened earlier is destroying him.  Slipping away as quietly as I could, I made sure to steal one last glance of Aiden before placing his lion in his arms and rushing out the door.

(***)

First period arrived way to soon. I took my normal seat in the back of the classroom, and listened to the teacher ramble on about something I didn't really care for. Aiden hadn't said a word to me as he walked into class, and I figured he was mad at me for leaving his house before he woke up.

I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't find any words to do so. By the time the bell had rang for second period, I had tried to approach him a number of times about last night, but he would walk away before I could get all the words out. Aiden had changed his second period to art and the teacher assigned his seat right next to mine. We were given an assignment with clay. Instructed to make a rose based off the impression we got from the person standing next to us.

I started working silently, occasionally looking over at Aiden to see how his work was coming. I pictured him throughout my mind as my hands moved, slowly and controlled. After applying the paint, and figuring it was good enough, I sat back inspecting my art. Class was close to ending by the time I had finished my project, and called the teacher over to inspect my work.

She gasped in shock, looking at it over and over, then asked how I got a few pedals to look like they were falling off. She told us to give it to the person we based it after, then returned to her desk as the bell rang. Walking over to Aiden, I handed him his rose, then smiled waiting for mine. He looked kind of embarrassed. Holding out his hand, a small flower sat in his hand, that looked like it would fall apart at any moment.

"I've never really been good at this stuff." He admitted, turning his gaze from me. It looked beautiful. I could see where he had applied too much pressure, but it still somehow managed to hold itself together. Taking it from him, I compared it to mine. His seemed more accurate in portraying him than mine did. When he finally got the chance to look at the one I made, his eyes grew wide and he looked at me in total shock.

"Is this really how you see me?" He asked, turning back to look at the clay flower.

"Can we talk about last night?"

"Tucker, I understand. We were both drunk. We don't need to talk about anything."

I could feel myself getting more and more frustrated by his words. Why did he keep saying that?

"Besides, its not like you would ever kiss me anyway."

"Why do you say that?" I asked, taking a step back.

"You aren't drunk."

He finished his words, then started to walk passed me, but I held my arm out blocking him and making his body stop. I moved him by his shoulders to make him stand in front of me, but didn't move them from him either.

"I have to get to cla-"

"You're wrong." I stated, cutting him off.

"No Tucker, I'm not."

He tried to pull himself away from me, but I wouldn't let go.

"I have to get to class! And I don't want to be la-"

His words were canceled as I shoved my lips against his. At first I could hear the kids around us gasping, but it quickly faded away. I reached my hand up and caressed his face as I leaned in, deepening the kiss. I had wanted this for so long, and though I was sure it would end soon, I still took in every moment I could. His body relaxed at my touch as he melted into me. Feeling something touch my shoulder, I turned around to see the art teacher scolding us, telling me and him to tone it down. I apologized, then moved back to where Aiden was standing, only to find myself alone in the hallway.

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